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Oldest pottery workshop discovered in Aswan

Completing the chain of discoveries that leaves a mark in Egypt’s recent history, the Ministry of Antiquities announced discovering the oldest pottery manufacturing workshop in Aswan, while working on the project of reducing ground water in the area. The workshop dates back to the 4th Dynasty and was found near and viewing the Nile River …

Completing the chain of discoveries that leaves a mark in Egypt’s recent history, the Ministry of Antiquities announced discovering the oldest pottery manufacturing workshop in Aswan, while working on the project of reducing ground water in the area.

The workshop dates back to the 4th Dynasty and was found near and viewing the Nile River in Aswan.

It is estimated that the workshop was built between 2,613 and 2,494 BC, at the time of the 4th Dynasty, which is the same period the pyramids were built in.

Inside the workshop, the mission found the oldest stone wheel used for shaping the pottery, built inside the ground. The turntable was built to be hand-turned, while having a block round shapes in order to be used while manufacturing the deep pots used for food and water.

The workshop has several side-to-side half-circled holes inside the ground, with gear blocks to shape the pottery.

Moustafa Waziri, secretary-general of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, described the discovery as “rare and unique,” adding, “It sheds light on the normal daily life of ancient Egyptians, and the evolvement of ancient Egyptian art in enhancing and improving their industrial equipment, which helps keeping up with their daily life requirements.”

Waziri added that the discovered workshop helped in exploring and understanding the different techniques, ancient Egyptians used in making pottery.

He also added the discovered stone wheel is the first real wheel dating back to the 4th Dynasty.

“No real wheel was ever discovered dating back to the Old Kingdom, only the head of a wheel made out of dry mud was previously discovered at the hands of archaeologist Verner in Abusir village, near a temple dating back to the Old Kingdom,” he added.

The announcement came a few days after a global controversy regarding discovering Alexander the Great’s possible tomb in Alexandria.

For several days, global media outlets have been discussing the potentials of how the discovered tomb could contain the remains of Alexander the Great, which remain unfound until today.

Closely following the details of the sarcophagus, which was later announced having three skeletons of what appear to be soldiers of the Ptolemaic era.